Position Summary:
The Lutheran Church of Our Savior (LCOS) is seeking a creative and collaborative Minister of Music to lead and grow our music ministry. This is a part-time position (up to 15 hours per week, with additional hours during Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and other agreed-upon events) that combines musical excellence with a passion for congregational worship and community building.
The Minister of Music works closely with the Pastor and the Worship and Music Committee to curate worship that is rooted in Lutheran liturgy, supports congregational singing, and reflects the themes of the church year. We are looking for someone who sees music not simply as performance, but as ministry—someone who can inspire participation, cultivate volunteer musicians, and help the congregation lift its voice in praise.
LCOS is a warm and welcoming ELCA congregation that values thoughtful worship, meaningful community, and a willingness to explore both treasured traditions and new expressions of faith.
Primary Responsibilities: Worship Leadership
Provide musical leadership and accompaniment for the weekly Sunday worship service.
Prepare and perform preludes, postludes, service music, hymns, liturgical settings, and other musical offerings that support congregational worship.
Work collaboratively with the Pastor to plan worship music that reflects the liturgical season.
Introduce and teach new hymns, liturgical settings, and musical resources that enrich congregational participation while honoring the congregation’s musical heritage.
Maintain a balance of traditional Lutheran hymnody and appropriate newer worship resources.
Perform other duties reasonably related to the responsibilities of the Minister of Music position, as assigned in consultation with and by mutual agreement between the employee and the Pastor.
Choir and Music Ministry
Direct the adult choir through weekly rehearsals during the program year and lead the choir in worship.
Foster a welcoming, encouraging choir culture where singers of varying experience can participate without formal auditions.
Recruit, mentor, and encourage musicians and vocalists of all ages within the congregation.
Coordinate instrumentalists, soloists, guest musicians, and other musical ensembles for worship and special occasions.
Explore opportunities for seasonal choirs, small ensembles, children’s participation, hymn festivals, and other creative musical offerings.
Collaboration and Leadership
Serve as an active member of the Worship and Music Team.
Communicate regularly with the Pastor regarding worship planning, special services, and upcoming musical needs.
Work cooperatively with audiovisual volunteers and other worship leaders.
Help cultivate a vibrant music ministry that strengthens congregational life and welcomes broad participation.
Special Services
Provide musical leadership for Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, Christmas Eve, and other festival services.
Play for weddings and funerals held at LCOS when available (additional compensation is provided for these services).
Help coordinate substitute musicians when unavailable for scheduled worship.
Administration
Select and prepare music well in advance of worship services.
Maintain accurate copyright and licensing records for all music used in worship, including OneLicense reporting.
Assist in the care and stewardship of the church’s musical instruments and music library.
Communicate rehearsal schedules, music selections, and special-event information to choir members and participating musicians, as well as the church administrator and Pastor.
The Minister of Music shall be responsible for selecting and purchasing new music and worship resources within the annual budget established by the congregation.
Submit a written report to the congregation twice each year for the semiannual congregational meetings held in May and November.
The Minister of Music is also encouraged to contribute occasional articles to the church newsletter, sharing insights into music, hymnody, liturgy, the church year, and other topics that enrich the congregation’s worship life.
Desired Qualifications:
Strong proficiency in organ and piano.
Experience accompanying congregational singing and directing volunteer choirs.
Familiarity with Lutheran liturgy and hymnody, or a willingness to learn.
Ability to collaborate creatively with clergy and volunteers.
Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
Appreciation for a variety of musical styles appropriate for Lutheran worship.
Ability to teach new music effectively and build congregational confidence in singing.
Experience recruiting, encouraging, and mentoring volunteer musicians.
Knowledge of arranging music, creating chord charts, or working with additional instrumentalists is welcome.
Qualities We Value
The ideal candidate is:
A dependable team member.
Passionate about sacred music as ministry.
Flexible, creative, and open to new ideas.
Warm, encouraging, and gifted at working with volunteers.
Organized and well prepared.
Committed to helping worship be engaging, participatory, and centered on Christ.
Time Commitment
This is a part-time position averaging up to 15 hours per week, including:
Sunday morning worship
Weekly choir rehearsal during the program year (Typically September – end of May)
Worship planning with the Pastor
Music preparation and practice
Administrative responsibilities
Additional hours are expected during Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and other agreed-upon events when rehearsal and worship service schedules increase.
Schedule and Expectations
The Minister of Music is expected to be on-site each Sunday morning for our 10 am worship service and one office day each week (either Tuesday or Wednesday) to collaborate with the Pastor and/or Church Administrator, assist with worship planning, music selection, licensing and copyright reporting, and other administrative responsibilities related to the music ministry.
Outside of these scheduled times, the position offers considerable flexibility. Preparation, practice, and other responsibilities may be completed on a schedule determined by the Minister of Music, provided all duties are fulfilled and worship is well prepared.
Accountability
The Minister of Music reports directly to the Pastor and the Church Council President, and serves collaboratively with the Worship and Music Committee and the Church Council.
About Lutheran Church of Our Savior
Lutheran Church of Our Savior is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) located in the heart of Port Washington, New York. We are committed to vibrant worship, thoughtful preaching, meaningful outreach, and creating a welcoming community where people of every generation can grow in faith.
Our congregation values music that encourages congregational participation, honors Lutheran tradition, and enriches the worship life of the church through excellence, creativity, and collaboration.
An Easy Commute
LCOS is located a couple of doors down from the Port Washington Long Island Rail Road station, making the commute exceptionally convenient for musicians traveling from New York City. The church’s location allows for an easy, car-free trip from Manhattan and other communities served by the Port Washington Branch.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary:
$30,000–$35,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Salary is negotiable for exceptional candidates.
Vacation:
Four (4) weeks of paid vacation annually. Vacation requests must be approved by the Pastor at least thirty (30) days in advance to ensure adequate worship coverage. The Minister of Music is responsible for assisting in securing qualified substitute musicians, in consultation with the Pastor.
Sick Leave: Two (2) weeks of paid sick leave per calendar year.
Weddings and Funerals: The Minister of Music shall have the right of first refusal for all weddings, funerals, and memorial services at Lutheran Church of Our Savior. Fees are paid directly by the family and are separate from salary. The Metro New York Synod recommends fees of approximately $250–$300 per service; however, fees may be negotiated based on the musical requirements, rehearsal time, and preparation involved.
Guest Musicians: If the Minister of Music is unavailable or declines one of these special services (wedding, funeral, or memorial), another qualified musician may be engaged with the Pastor’s approval. If a family chooses another musician when the Minister of Music is available, the family will pay a bench fee to the Minister of Music.
Professional Development: The congregation encourages continuing education and professional growth related to church music and worship. Opportunities for continuing education funding may be available as approved through the annual budget.
To Apply
If you are interested in applying, please send a letter of introduction along with a resume or CV—whichever best represents your experience and body of work—to office@lcospw.org, with the subject line LCOS Minister of Music Search Committee.
Street Address: 12 Franklin Avenue
Zip Code/Postal Code: 11050
